Michael and Martellus Bennett pull out o

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and his brother, Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, are foregoing a trip to Israel by several NFL players because of the countrys human rights policies regarding Palestinians, the Seattle Times reports.The brothers decision came after a group of musicians, artists and social justice advocates urged the NFL players to consider withdrawing from the delegation given Israels track record of human rights abuses.MORE: Martellus Bennett to skip White House visitAn open letter Scott Simonson Jersey signed by singer Harry Belafonte, activist Angela Davis, actor Danny Glover, former sprinter John Carlos and others and released Thursday implored the athletes to consider the political ramifications of attending the trip, drawing connections between the struggles faced by Black and Brown communities in the U.S., and Palestinian, Eritrean and Sudanese communities in Israel/Palestine. The letter was co-signed by the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, among other organizations.In a note posted on social media, Michael Bennett wrote, I was not aware until reading this article about the trip in the Times of Israel that my itinerary was being constructed by the Israeli government for the purposes of making me, in the words of a government official, an influencer and opinion-former who would then be an amba sador of good will. I will not be used in such a manner.He added, When I do go to Israel and Wes Horton Jersey I do plan to go it will be to see not only Israel but also the West Bank and Gaza so I can see how the Palestinians, who have called this land home for thousands of years, live their lives.pic.twitter.com/7KERLCguoh Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) February 11, 2017Israel Minister Ed Dickson Jersey for Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy Gilad Erdan said in a statement: I see great importance in the arrival of this delegation of NFL stars to Israel. I have no doubt that their visit will be a powerful experience for them and I hope that, through their visit, they will get a balanced picture of Israel, the opposite from the false incitement campaign that is being waged against Israel around the world. I hope that the players will present the beautiful face of Israel to their tens of millions of fans in the United States.The delegation of NFL players also includes: Seahawks defensive endCliff Avril, Titans tight end Delanie Walker, Eagles linebacker Mario Addison Jersey Michael Kendricks, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell, 49ers running back Carlos Hyde, Raiders defensive tackle Dan Williams, Broncos running back Justin Forsett, and ESPNs Kirk Morrison, a former NFL linebacker.The players are scheduled to arrive in Israel on Monday, and an exhibition game with players from the Israeli Football A sociation is on their itinerary for Feb. 18 in Jerusalem.